Where color is king

Bill Diller

Published 1:02 pm, Monday, April 25, 2016

The rest of the state is no slouch either. As the colors reach their peak in late October, Northern Michigan is virtually a painter's palette. Even on dull, overcast days the differing tints seem to glisten. And when the sun shines brightly, angling through the trees, your eyes are treated to a colorful glow that almost overwhelms the senses.

A trip "Up North" has always been regarded as a special treat, and autumn colors simply add further incentive. Men have contributed to this extravaganza of color, as anyone who has seen the Mackinaw Bridge at night could attest. The sight of that huge man-made creation spanning the waters of the Straights of Mackinaw is dazzling.

The Upper Peninsula holds many wonders, among them is Tahquamenon Falls. The falls are awe inspiring at any time, but when you combine them with the colors of autumn, they are truly a sight to behold. The rushing waters, blue upstream and down, become brown as they plunge over the drop, and become churning white froth as the tons of water hit bottom. Add to that the greens, yellows, oranges and reds of maples, oaks and pine trees, and you have a blend that would energize anyone.

Of course, you don't have to go to the falls to see a true wonder of nature. They abound in the U.P. Simply driving along the roadways can be stimulating. Mile after mile of forest greets you as you travel, and each curve in the road brings another "Oh, look at that!" to the lips.

Traveling south once again, crossing the Straits on "Big Mac" brings further appreciation of the wonders of nature, and man's attempts to coexist and conquer it. Imagine the hardships involved a couple of hundred years ago, when travel was by foot or canoe. The effort put into taming this wilderness made it possible for us to enjoy the autumn color. It makes you wonder if those explorers, hunters and trappers had the time to enjoy it, as well.

The Northern Lower Peninsula also holds a plethora of colorful sights. Forests abound here, and they are no less vivid than in the U.P. A drive along the shoreline of Lake Huron or Lake Michigan will convince you. During that drive you may want to include a stop at other manmade structures that intrigue a lot of travelers - the many lighthouses that dot the shoreline of Michigan. A popular destination, lighthouses hold a certain fascination. They bring visions of long ago travel, before roads and cars made this sort of trip possible.

A color tour of Michigan is truly a visual experience, but it isn't limited to the Upper Peninsula or the Northern Lower Peninsula. If you can't go Up North, you can experience the colors of autumn right here in Huron County. But, if you get the opportunity, a trip through colorful Northern Michigan could be just the thing to stir the soul.